The status of Senegal in the CAN 2025 saga was recently brought back into the spotlight by sports analyst Alexandre Ruiz. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has yet to deliver its definitive verdict on the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation. It is important to recall that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had previously stripped Senegal of its final victory against Morocco, subsequently awarding the title to the Moroccan team following a disciplinary decision. Senegal, contesting this sanction, escalated the matter to TAS, which is now expected to issue a conclusive judgment on the case.

Amidst this unresolved situation, public statements from media personalities continue to shape and intensify the ongoing discussions. French journalist Alexandre Ruiz, in an interview with Senepeople, offered a decisive perspective on the sporting outcome of the match, irrespective of the legal framework.

He emphatically declared: “For me, there was a final whistle, a winner, and at the final whistle, the winner is right. Senegal is African champion.” This powerful assertion has resonated deeply across Senegal, where a significant portion of the public believes that the result achieved on the field should remain the ultimate reference, overriding any subsequent administrative decisions.

However, Alexandre Ruiz’s stance does not alter the current regulatory landscape. On an institutional level, CAF stands by its initial decision, which was based on the application of its disciplinary regulations. These regulations led to the sanctioning of Senegal and the subsequent modification of the competition’s final result.

Conversely, the Senegalese Football Federation vehemently disputes this interpretation of events and eagerly awaits the arbitration from TAS, which is recognized as the ultimate authority to definitively resolve this dispute. Until TAS renders its decision, the title remains legally attributed according to CAF’s provisional conclusions.

Beyond the strict legalities, the journalist’s statement reignites a broader discussion about the fundamental importance of on-field performance in modern football. For some observers, the sporting outcome achieved at the conclusion of a match should be paramount. Others argue that disciplinary rules are an integral component of any competition and can legitimately influence or alter a sporting result.